'It Does Work': Worcester City Manager Endorses Vaccine Alerts

WORCESTER, MA — Early in the morning last Saturday, Worcester City Manager Edward Augustus Jr. was visiting an equity vaccine clinic — an event where nearly 800 residents got vaccines at the Main Street YMCA — when he got an important alert on his phone.

It was a text message from the state alerting him that there was a vaccine appointment open later that day at the Natick Mall site. By 6 p.m. Saturday, Augustus, who was sickened by COVID-19 in December, had received his first dose of the Moderna version.

Augustus used the anecdote to endorse the state's vaccine preregistration system ahead of Monday's wide vaccine rollout when anyone over age 16 will be eligible.

Massachusetts has been plagued by technical problems, vaccine shortages and general confusion around booking appointments. Any resident can preregister for an appointment, and then wait to get an alert — no need to check websites for open appointments.

Augustus preregistered before he was eligible, which allowed him to get a spot in line when it was his turn. The largest group yet will become eligible on Monday, potentially setting up slowdowns in the vaccine rollout.

"Don't lose heart if it takes a little while to get your appointment booked, you will get it booked," he said Thursday during a news conference. "It does work, it's getting easier; it's getting better each day."

Learn more about coronavirus vaccines in Massachusetts:

• See a map of vaccine locations
• Preregister to get a COVID-19 vaccine
• Vaccines for homebound residents